Fabrication and adhesion of conjugated polymer trilayer structures for soft, flexible micromanipulators

Alexandre Khaldi; Daniel Falk; Ali Maziz; Edwin W. H. Jager

doi:10.1117/12.2218860

15 April 2016 Fabrication and adhesion of conjugated polymer trilayer structures for soft, flexible micromanipulators

Alexandre Khaldi, Daniel Falk, Ali Maziz, Edwin W. H. Jager

Proceedings Volume 9798, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2016; 97980N (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2218860
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2016, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Abstract

We are developing soft, flexible micromanipulators such as micro- tweezers for the handling and manipulation of biological species including cells and surgical tools for minimal invasive surgery. Our aim is to produce tools with minimal dimensions of 100 μm to 1 mm in size, which is 1-2 orders of magnitude smaller than existing technology. However, the displacement of the current developed micromanipulator remains limited due to the low ionic conductivity of the materials. Here, we present developed methods for the fabrication of conjugated polymer trilayer structure which exhibit potential to high stretchability/flexibility as well as a good adhesion between the three different layers. The outcomes of this study contribute to the realisation of low-foot print devices articulated with electroactive polymer actuators for which the physical interface with the power source has been a significant challenge limiting their application. Here, we present a new flexible trilayer structure, which will allow the fabrication of metal-free soft microactuators.

Citation Download Citation

Alexandre Khaldi, Daniel Falk, Ali Maziz, and Edwin W. H. Jager "Fabrication and adhesion of conjugated polymer trilayer structures for soft, flexible micromanipulators", Proc. SPIE 9798, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2016, 97980N (15 April 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2218860

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available